The Braves announced that they have selected the contract of left-hander Lucas Luetge, with right-hander Dereck Rodríguez designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
Luetge, 36, was acquired from the Yankees in an offseason trade but hasn’t secured a firm place in Atlanta. He has struggled in brief looks at the major league level, with an earned run average of 8.49 in 11 outings. That has come in sporadic fashion, as he was twice been designated for assignment and passed through waivers, with today being the second time he’s been added back to the roster.
That’s a very small sample and his work outside of that has been much better. He has a 3.91 ERA in 23 innings at the Triple-A level this year and he also posted a 2.71 ERA for the Yanks at the major league level across 2021 and 2022, tossing 129 2/3 innings in that time. He’ll give the club a third left-handed option in the bullpen, alongside A.J. Minter and Brad Hand.
Rodríguez, 31, was selected to the club’s roster just yesterday and was immediately thrust into action. Charlie Morton started the game against the Marlins and didn’t have his best outing, allowing six earned runs over 4 2/3 innings. Rodriguez was put into the game and absorbed two innings, but allowed eight earned runs in that time while throwing 54 pitches. In order to save the bullpen, the club had infielder Nicky Lopez throw an inning and a third before the game ended with a 16-2 score.
Rodríguez will now be placed on waivers in the coming days, the third time for him this year. He was signed by the Twins to a minor league deal in the offseason, getting selected to the big league club in May. After just one appearances, he was claimed off waivers by Atlanta, who mostly kept him on optional assignment. He made one appearance for them in May and another in July, getting designated for assignment after the latter. After rejoining the club yesterday and getting shelled, he has an ERA of 15.19 in the majors this year, along with a 5.91 ERA in the minors.
Shocking
Call up Jesse Chavez he’s ready
Thanks for taking that beating now gtfo
Jesse is tomorrow, I believe.
At least we had Nicky Lopez to bail out the team
“he also posted a 2.71 ERA for the Yanks at the major league level across 2021 and 2022, tossing 129 2/3 innings in that time.”
Overused and burned out by Dr. Boonedoggle, the highly esteemed bullpen pitcher annihilator, or HEBPA.
He shouldve used a 34/35yo reliever even less because…
Seriously, what’s the incentive?
Feels like it was ages ago that Rodriguez had a lights-out season for the Giants. At the time, he looked like a revelation, even if the peripherals left something to be desired.
All this time later, the poor guy has been passed around like a joint. Time has to be running out for organizations who will continue to give him a shot.
Honestly, MLB needs to figure this out. With the current rules they might as well just let teams carry 16 pitchers after Sept 1 instead of 14. They should also just expand pre-Sept 1st rosters by two players and then put in some additional rules to deter this nonsense.
Every team out there is just shuttling that last reliever or starter in and out with AAA on a multiple basis. Just end the silliness. Then again, it’s really not hurting me aside from just taking up article space …. soooo .. shuffle away.